I need total darkness in my bedroom.  There are these "blinds" (but
they're not really blinds, per se) that you install over your window
that totally seal out the light.

There's a name for these things and if I knew it, I could search on it
and would have a bunch advertisers clamoring to sell them to me.  I
know, because I stumbled across it, but forgot to bookmark it!  Drat!
Curses!

So... what are these?  Please find 2-4 online retailers that sell a
product that will create total darkness in my room... not even a
little sliver of light.  The product will totally seal out light from
a single window in my room that is 3.5 feet by 6 feet.

Thank you.

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 17 Nov 2004 13:45 PST

If I understand your needs, you're looking for opaque "blackout"
shades such as Graber's CrystalPleat Cocoon shades:

http://www.yourblinds.com/products/cellular/graber/grcs0301.asp

http://nationalblindstore.com/graber_CP_cellular_shades.htm

If this is the kind of product you want, I'll be glad to look for
similar lines from other manufacturers. If this isn't what you're
looking for, a few more details would be helpful.

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Clarification of Question by donphiltrodt-ga on 17 Nov 2004 14:01 PST

Blackout.  That sounds familiar, but not a bullseye.

Ultimately, whatever makes my room completely blackedout at the lowest
cost and hassle (it doesn't have to look purty*) is what I'm after.

The links you provided don't really seem quite right, mainly because
it isn't obvious to me how exactly these products black out the light.
 In fact, I don't exactly see how the linked pages' products are
designed specifically for it.

What I'm envisioning isn't really a "shade" or "blind" or "curtain" at
all.  It's more like a thick sheet that's anchored via, say, Velcro to
the surrounding wall around the window.  This way, the light-blocking
surface completely covers the entire window installation, including
the moulding.

In case it isn't obvious, a product like what I'm describing isn't
something that you'd open in the morning and close at night... you'd
just leave it always on/dark.



* but taping up black trash bags is a little TOO unpretty.  :-)

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 17 Nov 2004 14:04 PST

There are blackout products that are designed for photographic
darkrooms. In fact, my home darkroom uses such a product on a window.
Would that sort of thing be suitable?

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 17 Nov 2004 14:09 PST

The darkroom blinds listed here are typical of the kind of thing I
referred to, above:

http://www.novadarkroom.com/acatalog/Blackout_Materials.html

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Clarification of Question by donphiltrodt-ga on 17 Nov 2004 18:45 PST

That novadarkroom product is definitely the idea.  I'm sure there are
comparable products and vendors...?

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 17 Nov 2004 18:48 PST

I'm certain I can find other vendors of darkroom blackout material for
you. It would help to know your nation of residence, since
international shipping can be a hassle.

---

Clarification of Question by donphiltrodt-ga on 17 Nov 2004 20:34 PST

USA

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 17 Nov 2004 20:46 PST

Here are some darkroom blackout products:

http://focuscamera.com/prods/327647002.asp

"C.P.M. BlackOut Cloth
Heavy opaque, 6mm plastic cloth.
Covers wall, counters, doors. Triple
carbon black assures total darkness.
Can be trimmed, stapled or taped. Use
anywhere light is a problem. Reusable.
CPM-13620..2 ft x 16ft roll?.$11.95
CPM- 13630..4 ft x 16 ft roll?.17.95"

http://www.badgergraphic.com/School%20Photo%20Catalog%20Online/page37.pdf

Several options from Porter's Camera Store:

http://buyporters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PCS&Product_Code=22-1126&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

http://buyporters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PCS&Product_Code=22-1211&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

http://buyporters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PCS&Product_Code=22-0116&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

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Clarification of Question by donphiltrodt-ga on 17 Nov 2004 22:08 PST

The C.P.M. roll of cloth fits the bill.   Cheap and simple.  Post it
as the answer and I'll close the question.  Later, I may go for the
Nova.

Thanks a lot.

I'm glad to have been able to help you find something suitable! Below
I've reposted the link that you found most useful:

"C.P.M. BlackOut Cloth
Heavy opaque, 6mm plastic cloth.
Covers wall, counters, doors. Triple
carbon black assures total darkness.
Can be trimmed, stapled or taped. Use
anywhere light is a problem. Reusable.
CPM-13620..2 ft x 16ft roll?.$11.95
CPM- 13630..4 ft x 16 ft roll?.17.95"

Badger Graphic Sales, Inc: Darkroom Accessories
http://www.badgergraphic.com/School%20Photo%20Catalog%20Online/page37.pdf

This was the Google search string that gave me the best results:

Google Web Search: darkroom blackout material OR cloth
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=darkroom+blackout+material+OR+cloth

I hope this will work well for you. As I mentioned earlier, I have a
home darkroom, and blackout material of this type is quite effective
in keeping out light. In my experience, it's best to cut your material
somewhat larger than the window's dimensions, and tape or staple it
very tightly so that it won't buckle or leave gaps where light can
enter.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

Thanks for the quick work.

Hi donphiltrodt-ga ,

I had a friend who used heavy duty aluminum foil on his window. I'm
not sure this method would meet the "not even a little sliver of
light" requirement.

Good luck.

~ czh ~